Election 2013: Jim Gitz back in Freeport mayor's office, barely

Nick Crow

Wednesday

Apr 10, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 10, 2013 at 9:03 AM

FREEPORT — Citizen’s Party candidate Jim Gitz was elected as the new mayor of Freeport on Tuesday. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Gitz had a 71-vote lead over People’s Party candidate Jon Staben.

FREEPORT — Citizen’s Party candidate Jim Gitz was elected as the new mayor of Freeport on Tuesday. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Gitz had a 71-vote lead over People’s Party candidate Jon Staben.

“I’m deeply moved and very humbled to have the people trust me to move forward,” Gitz said.

In February, Gitz won the Citizen’s Party primary over current Mayor George Gaulrapp. Gitz, who was Freeport’s mayor from 1997-2005, said that Staben was a good friend and hoped that he would participate in improving Freeport.

“I had a great race and I will support Mr. Gitz,” Staben said. “I was thrilled with the outcome. It tells me that the people of Freeport want change. We have to get it together and move forward together.”

Staben had previously won the People’s Party primary over Realtor Bettye Corbin.

Both Gitz, who garnered 37.32 percent of the vote, and Staben, who got 35.87 percent, fared better than independent Kathy Knodle, who received 22.96 percent.
Knodle, a small-business owner, had discussed bringing change to City Hall. She was unavailable for comment.

In addition to being mayor, Gitz, 64, also has previous experience in the Illinois Senate, as a city attorney and city administrator.

“As we work together on a strategy and set goals to hold ourselves accountable, we have to remember we can get there,” he said.

Gitz cited the Athenian oath, which calls on citizens to leave their homes better than they found them, as an inspiration.
“I hope the City Council and I can work to resolve issues,” Gitz said.

He said that tackling the fiscal year 2013-14 budget was among his first priorities.

“We’re going to have the most extensive transition team,” Gitz said. “I plan to hit the ground running. I have no intention of spending six months finding the front door.”

After a long campaign season that left Gitz facing stiff competition, he said that he is pleased to be able to tackle important issues that he discussed during his campaign such as the local economy, neighborhoods and vacant buildings.

Nick Crow: 815-232-0136; ncrow@journalstandard.com

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